Hearing aid compatibility in a wireless communications device

ABSTRACT

A wireless communications device and method for providing an output signal. The device includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the wireless communications device; a selection element connected to the control unit and configured to allow selection of several modes of output coupling for generating the output signal of the device; and, a processor connected to the control unit for processing a received signal with parameters selected according to a selected mode of output coupling. The several modes of output coupling correspond to several modes of input operation for a hearing aid to improve coupling between the device and the hearing aid.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/902,155, filed on Jul. 30, 2004, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system and method for ensuring that awireless communications device provides sufficient audio and magneticcoupling to a hearing aid user who uses the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently ruled thatwireless communications devices are no longer exempt from the hearingaid compatibility magnetic coupling requirements of the Americans withDisabilities Act. This requires that a wireless communications deviceproduce a magnetic field with a specified strength and frequencyresponse which can be detected by the telecoil of a hearing aid. This isin addition to the requirement that a wireless communications deviceproduce an audio signal having a specified strength and frequencyresponse which can be detected by the microphone of a hearing aid.

Traditional desktop telephone handsets use dynamic receivers that, withminimal acoustic design, are able to provide a nominally flat audiofrequency response as required by the relevant specifications. Theinherently flat magnetic field generated by the receiver also makes itrelatively easy to meet the required magnetic frequency response. If thelevel of the magnetic field is insufficient (or completely absent aswith piezoelectric receivers) then an additional device telecoil may beused as is commonly known to those skilled in the art. This additionaltelecoil may be included as an integral part of the receiver orimplemented separately.

However, the smaller size of the newer wireless communications devicesand the acoustic design changes that are necessary for good audioperformance frequently make it difficult and sometimes impossible tosimultaneously meet both the audio and magnetic specifications(particularly the frequency response) even with an additional telecoil.Frequently, the wireless communications device must rely on equalization(EQ) of the electrical signal that corresponds to the output audiosignal, usually using a digital signal processor (DSP), to meet theaudio frequency response requirements. This same EQ directly affects thesignal creating the magnetic field and may cause the wirelesscommunications device to fail the magnetic frequency responserequirements. This is the case regardless of whether or not there is anadditional telecoil because the same drive signal is used to drive boththe speaker and the additional telecoil.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have developed a system and method for a wirelesscommunications device to meet both audio and magnetic specifications sothat the wireless communications device provides sufficient signalcoupling to a hearing aid regardless of whether the hearing aid isoperating in microphone or telecoil mode.

In one aspect, at least one embodiment of the invention provides awireless communications device for receiving a wireless speech signaland providing an output signal. The device comprises a control unit forcontrolling the operation of the wireless communications device; aselection means connected to the control unit and configured to allowselection of several modes of output coupling for generating the outputsignal of the device; a communication subsystem connected to the controlunit for receiving the wireless speech signal and producing a receivedsignal; a processor connected to the control unit for receiving thereceived signal and producing a processed received signal, the processorusing parameters to generate the processed received signal according toa selected coupling mode; and, an output stage configured to generatethe output signal based on the processed received signal. The severalmodes of output coupling correspond to several modes of input operationfor a hearing aid to improve coupling between the device and the hearingaid.

The coupling mode may be one of microphone mode, telecoil mode andmicrophone/telecoil mode.

The parameters may include acoustic parameters when the coupling mode isthe microphone mode. Alternatively, the parameters may include magneticparameters when the coupling mode is the telecoil mode. In anotheralternative, the parameters may include acoustic/magnetic parameterswhen the coupling mode is the microphone/telecoil mode.

The device may further include a data converter connected to theprocessor for receiving the processed received signal and producing ananalog signal; and the output stage is connected to the data converterfor receiving the analog signal and producing the output signal.

The output stage may include a speaker.

Alternatively, the output stage may include a speaker and an additionaldevice telecoil, and the processor generates two processed receivedsignals, each being provided to one of the speaker and the additionaldevice telecoil by the data converter, and each being generated usingparameters corresponding to one of the speaker and the additional devicetelecoil, the speaker being driven to generate the output signal in themicrophone and microphone/telecoil modes.

In another alternative, the output stage may include a switch means, aspeaker and an additional device telecoil, the input of the switch meansbeing connected to the data converter and the outputs of the switchmeans being connected to the speaker and the additional device telecoilcoil, the speaker being driven to generate the output signal in themicrophone and microphone/telecoil modes.

The additional device telecoil may also be driven to generate the outputsignal in the microphone/telecoil mode.

The additional device telecoil may be driven to generate the outputsignal in the telecoil mode and the speaker is disabled.

In another aspect, at least one embodiment of the invention provides amethod for receiving a wireless speech signal with a device andproviding an output signal, the method comprising:

a) providing several different modes of output coupling for the device,the several modes of output coupling corresponding to several modes ofinput operation for a hearing aid to improve coupling between the deviceand the hearing aid;

b) receiving the wireless speech signal and producing a received signal;

c) generating a processed received signal using parameters selectedaccording to a selected mode of output coupling; and,

d) generating the output signal based on the processed received signal.

The method includes providing acoustic parameters as the parameters whenthe coupling mode is the microphone mode. Alternatively, the methodincludes providing magnetic parameters as the parameters when thecoupling mode is the telecoil mode. In another alternative, the methodincludes providing acoustic/magnetic parameters as the parameters whenthe coupling mode is the microphone/telecoil mode.

Step (d) of the method may include:

a) receiving the processed received signal and producing an analogsignal; and,

b) receiving the analog signal and producing the output signal.

The method may include providing a speaker for generating the outputsignal.

Alternatively, the method may include providing a speaker and anadditional device telecoil for generating the output signal, and step(c) includes generating two processed received signals, each beingprovided to one of the speaker and the additional device telecoil, andeach being generated using parameters corresponding to one of thespeaker and the additional device telecoil, the speaker being driven togenerate the output signal in the microphone and microphone/telecoilmodes.

In another alternative, the method may include providing a switch means,a speaker and an additional device telecoil for generating the outputsignal, and driving the speaker to generate the output signal in themicrophone and microphone/telecoil modes.

The method may further include also driving the additional devicetelecoil to generate the output signal in the microphone/telecoil mode.

The method may further include driving the additional device telecoil togenerate the output signal in the telecoil mode and disabling thespeaker.

In yet another aspect, at least one embodiment of the invention providesa wireless communications device. The device comprises a control unitfor controlling the operation of the wireless communications device; aselection means connected to the control unit and configured to allowselection of a mode of output coupling for generating an output signalof the device; a processor connected to the control unit for processinga received signal with parameters selected according to a selected modeof output coupling; and an output stage configured to generate theoutput signal based on the processed received signal. The selectionmeans is configured to enable selection of one of a telecoil mode and amicrophone/telecoil mode as the mode of output coupling.

The selection means can also enable selection of a microphone mode andthe parameters may include acoustic DSP EQ parameters when the couplingmode is the microphone mode. Alternatively, the parameters may includemagnetic DSP EQ parameters when the coupling mode is the telecoil mode.In another alternative, the parameters may include acoustic/magnetic DSPEQ parameters when the coupling mode is the microphone/telecoil mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show more clearly howit may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way ofexample only, to the accompanying drawings which show at least oneexemplary embodiment of the invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wirelesscommunications device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a graph showing various frequency response curves for selectedoutput levels of the acoustic component of the output signal produced bythe wireless communications device;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary alternative embodiment of awireless communications device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another exemplary alternative embodiment ofa wireless communications device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process followed by thewireless communications device when the hearing aid user receives atelephone call; and,

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process followed by thewireless communications device when the hearing aid user makes atelephone call.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not toobscure the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, shown therein is a block diagram of anexemplary embodiment of a wireless communications device 100 inaccordance with the invention. The wireless communications device 100 isa two-way communications device with advanced data communicationcapabilities having the capability to communicate with other devicessuch as cell phones or computer systems for example. Accordingly, thewireless communications device 100 includes the capability for voicecommunications and may also include the capability for various othertypes of data communication. Depending on the functionality provided bythe wireless communications device 100, it may be a cellular telephonewith data messaging capabilities, or a data communications device withtelephony capabilities. Alternatively, the wireless communicationsdevice 100 may be a telephone, cordless telephone, cellular phone,voice-enabled personal digital assistant or any device providingelectronic voice communications. An alternative voice or audio I/Osubsystem, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also beimplemented on the wireless communications device 100.

The wireless communications device 100 may communicate with otherdevices through a network of transceiver stations. The user of thewireless communications device 100 can establish a call with anotherperson who uses another device that can communicate with the wirelesscommunications device 100. The other person may be using a deviceconnected to a public-switched telephone network (PSTN) or a cellularnetwork (both not shown). Alternatively, the other device may be a voicemail system.

The wireless communications device 100 comprises a number of componentsincluding a control unit 102. The control unit 102 controls the overalloperation of the wireless communications device 100. The control unit102 may be a microprocessor or a microcontroller. Any commerciallyavailable microcontroller, such as a microcontroller available from ARM,Motorola, Intel, and the like may be used for the control unit 102.

Communication functions, including voice and possibly datacommunications, are performed through a communication subsystem 104. Thecommunication subsystem 104 receives messages from and sends messages toa wireless network 106. In an embodiment of the invention, thecommunication subsystem 106 is configured in accordance with the GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication (GSM) and General Packet Radio Services(GPRS) standards. The GSM/GPRS wireless network is used worldwide and itis expected that these standards will be superseded eventually byEnhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) and Universal MobileTelecommunications Service (UMTS). It should be understood that theinvention is compatible with any other suitable standard that isdeveloped in the future. The wireless link connecting the communicationsubsystem 104 with the network 106 represents one or more differentRadio Frequency (RF) channels, operating according to defined protocolsspecified for GSM/GPRS communications. With newer network protocols,these channels are capable of supporting both circuit switched voicecommunications and packet switched data communications.

The control unit 102 interacts with a number of subsystems such as adigital signal processor (DSP) 108. The DSP 108 includes at least onedigital filter 110 and interacts with a data converter 112. The DSP 108may be commercially available from various manufacturers, includingTexas Instruments of Austin, Tex., U.S.A. and Analog Devices of Norwood,Mass., U.S.A. The digital filter 110 may be a finite impulse responsefilter or an infinite impulse response filter. Coefficients for thedigital filter 110 may be defined based on the desired audio performancefor the wireless communications device 100 as well as the hardwareassociated with the wireless communications device 100 such as thespeaker that is used. Various sets of coefficients may be used dependingon the settings applied to the wireless communications device 100. Thecoefficients may be stored in non-volatile memory and accessed by thecontrol unit 102.

The control unit 102 also interacts with a Random Access Memory (RAM)114, a flash memory 116, a display 118, a selection means 120, and akeypad 122. Other types of non-volatile storage devices known in the artmay be used rather than the flash memory 116. The keypad 122 may be atelephone-type keypad, an alphanumeric keyboard or some other suitablekeypad. The control unit 102 has access to the memory units 114 and 116to store routines, variables and data used by various algorithmsexecuted by the control unit 102.

The data converter 112 interacts with an output stage 124 and amicrophone 126. The data converter may be a digital-to-analog converteror it may be a codec. A codec is a device or software program that canbe used to transform data or signals. A representative codec ordigital-to-analog converter is commercially available from TexasInstruments of Austin, Tex., U.S.A and Analog Devices of Norwood, Mass.,U.S.A. The output stage 124 may be a speaker that produces audiblesignals if a voice data signal was received by the wirelesscommunications device 100. In other embodiments, the output stage 124may also include an additional device telecoil as will be described infurther detail below. The microphone 126 receives all audio signals fromthe user as the user speaks into the wireless communications device 100.The speaker may be any type of speaker having appropriate dimensions andperformance characteristics to produce an audio signal for the wirelesscommunications device 100. A representative speaker is commerciallyavailable from Philips Sound Solutions of Vienna, Austria and FosterElectric Co. of Tokyo, Japan. The microphone 126 may be any type ofmicrophone having appropriate dimensions and performance characteristicsto receive an audio signal from the device user. A representativemicrophone is commercially available from Panasonic of Seacacus, N.J.,U.S.A. and Knowles Acoustics of Itasca, Ill., U.S.A. Although voice oraudio signal output is accomplished primarily through the output stage124, the display 118 may also be used to provide additional informationsuch as the identity of a calling party, duration of a voice call, orother voice call related information.

The wireless communications device 100 is a battery-powered device.Accordingly, the control unit 102 interacts with a battery interface 128that is connected to one or more rechargeable batteries 130. The batteryinterface 128 is coupled to a regulator (not shown) that regulates thevoltage obtained from the battery 130 to provide relatively constantsupply power V+ to the wireless communications device 100. Althoughcurrent technology makes use of a battery, future technologies such asmicro fuel cells may provide the power to wireless communications device100.

An output control algorithm 132, stored on the flash memory 116, isexecuted by the control unit 102 to vary the operating parameters of theDSP 108 due to information received from the selection means 120 as willbe described in more detail below. The control unit 102 also executesother algorithms to operate the wireless communications device 100 suchas algorithms for providing control for many operations of wirelesscommunications device 100, including call control, display control andpower management.

Some of the subsystems of the wireless communications device 100 performcommunication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide“resident” or on-device functions. By way of example, the display 118and the keypad 122 may be used for both communication-related functions,such as entering a text message for transmission over the network 106 orconfiguring the wireless communications device 100 for operating in acertain mode when receiving an incoming telephone call. Alternatively,the display 118 and the keypad 122 may be used for device-residentfunctions such as a calculator or task list operation. The operatingsystem software that is used by the control unit 102 is typically storedin a persistent store such as the flash memory 116, which mayalternatively be a read-only memory (ROM) or a similar storage element(not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operatingsystem, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may betemporarily loaded into a volatile store such as the RAM 114.

The communication subsystem 104 is a conventional communications module.In an embodiment of the invention, the communication system 104 mayinclude a receiver, a transmitter, one or more embedded or internalantenna elements, local oscillators, and a communications processingmodule (all not shown). The connection of these elements to one anotheris well known to those skilled in the art. The particular design of thecommunication subsystem 104 is dependent upon the network 106 in whichthe wireless communications device 100 is intended to operate. Thereceiver may perform such common receiver functions as signalamplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection,and analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion of a receivedsignal allows more complex communication functions such as demodulationand decoding to be performed in the communications processing module. Ina similar manner, signals to be transmitted undergo appropriateprocessing, such as modulation and encoding, in the communicationsprocessing module. These processed signals are then input to thetransmitter for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency upconversion, filtering, amplification and transmission over the network106 via the internal antenna elements. The communications processor notonly processes communication signals, but also provides for receiver andtransmitter control. For example, the gains applied to the communicationsignals in the receiver and transmitter may be adaptively controlledthrough automatic gain control algorithms implemented in thecommunications processing module.

The wireless link between the wireless communications device 100 and thenetwork 106 may contain one or more different channels, typicallydifferent radio frequency (RF) channels, and associated protocols areused between the wireless communications device 100 and the network 106.An RF channel is a limited resource that must be conserved, typicallydue to limits in overall bandwidth and limited battery power of thewireless communications device 100. When the wireless communicationsdevice 100 is fully operational, the transmitter in the communicationssubsystem 104 is typically keyed or turned on only when it is sendingdata to the network 106 and is otherwise turned off to conserveresources. Similarly, the receiver in the communications subsystem 104is periodically turned off to conserve power until it is needed toreceive signals or information (if at all) during the designated timeperiods.

The wireless communications device 100 may send and receivecommunication signals over the network 106 after required networkregistration or activation procedures have been completed. The networkaccess is associated with a subscriber or user of the wirelesscommunications device 100. To identify a subscriber, the wirelesscommunications device 100 may include other suitable hardware, such as asubscriber identity module, as is commonly known to those skilled in theart. Additional optional services that could be provided by the wirelesscommunications device 100 include web browsing and messaging such asemail, voice mail, Short Message Service (SMS), and Multimedia MessagingServices (MMS). More advanced services may include point of sale, fieldservice and sales force automation.

The control unit 102, in addition to its operating system functions,enables execution of software applications on the wirelesscommunications device 100. A set of applications which control basicdevice operations, including voice communication applications, willnormally be installed on the wireless communications device 100 duringits manufacture. Additional applications may also be loaded onto thewireless communications device 100 through the network 106 or any othersuitable communications subsystem. This flexibility in applicationinstallation increases the functionality of the wireless communicationsdevice 100 and may provide enhanced on-device functions,communication-related functions, or both. For example, securecommunication applications may enable electronic commerce functions andother such financial transactions to be performed using the wirelesscommunications device 100.

In use, when the wireless communications device 100 is being used as acellular phone and the user speaks, a speech signal 134 is transduced bythe microphone 126 into an electrical speech signal 136, converted bythe data converter 112 and processed by the DSP 108 to produce aprocessed speech signal 138. The control unit 102 then routes theprocessed speech signal 138 to the communication subsystem 104 whichgenerates a speech transmission signal 140 for transmission over thenetwork 106.

The other situation that occurs when the wireless communications device100 is being used as a cellular phone is that the user receives a speechsignal from another device over the network 106. In this case, areceived signal 142 is processed by the communications subsystem 104 toproduce a digital received signal 144 which is routed to the DSP 108 bythe control unit 102. The DSP 108 processes the digital received signal144 to produce a processed received signal 146. The data converter 112then converts the processed received signal 146 into a correspondinganalog or drive signal 148 that is then fed to the output stage 124which generates a corresponding output signal 150.

Various adjustments may be applied to the digital received signal 144 bythe DSP 108 including a change in volume, pitch and frequency. This maybe achieved by selecting appropriate filter coefficients for the filter110 which are applied to the digital received signal 144. The filtercoefficients are preferably provided by the control unit 102 as anotherset of inputs to the DSP 108. With all of the input and coefficientinformation, the DSP 108 uses its internal specialized DSP circuits toefficiently generate the processed received signal 146. The selectionand application of various coefficients for the filter 110 is describedin more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/855,407 which wasfiled on May 28, 2004 and is hereby incorporated by reference.

However, increasing the volume of the acoustic output signal 150 past acertain threshold level, which is frequency dependent, introducesdistortion into the audio component of the output signal 150, therebyaffecting audio quality and making it difficult for the user tounderstand. Further, the digital received signal 144 may be processed sothat the resulting output signal 150 satisfies certain performancerequirements. In addition, the user of the device 100 may be a hearingaid user and further processing may be performed on the digital receivedsignal 146 so that the output signal 150 is better understood by thehearing aid user. Accordingly, the DSP 108 may implement a number ofsignal processing algorithms to process the digital received signal 144.

In the current regulatory environment, cellular phones and otherwireless communication devices, such as device 100, must generally meetminimal operating performance specifications relating to the quality ofthe produced acoustic output signals. Such audio specifications includesignal frequency response and loudness rating standards. Referring nowto FIG. 2, shown therein is a graph showing various frequency responsecurves for selected output levels of acoustic output signals that may beproduced by the wireless communications device 100. The Global SystemsMobile (GSM) standards dictates that, for a communications deviceoperating at the nominal volume setting, the frequency response of theproduced acoustic output signal 150 must fall between a floatingtemplate defined by upper boundary 152 and lower boundary 154. Theloudness standard is known as a Receive Loudness Rating.

Frequency response curves 156, 158 and 160 are exemplary responsesgenerated by the output stage 124. Each curve represents the outputstage 124 being driven at a given output level with different filtercoefficients being applied to the filter 110. The frequency responsecurve 160 is the acoustic frequency response of the output stage 124with no filtering (i.e. with a flat filter response). The frequencyresponse curve 156 is the acoustic frequency response of the outputstage 124 with filter coefficients applied for a nominal volume settingto provide compliance with the frequency response specification. Thefrequency response curve 158 is the acoustic frequency response of theoutput stage 124 for a different set of filter coefficients. Thiscompensation, from one frequency response to another, ensures that theuser experiences the expected change in loudness, as determined by theReceive Loudness Rating, when the volume setting is switched from onevolume level to another volume level and when the coefficients appliedto the filter 110 are switched.

While it is generally understood that the output signal 150 includes anacoustic component and that the requirements for the output signal 150are usually specified in terms of acoustic properties, the output signal150 also includes a magnetic component. The output stage 124 typicallyincludes a speaker having a coil and a diaphragm (both not shown). As isknown by those skilled in the art, the drive signal 148 is applied tothe coil which produces a magnetic signal that displaces the diaphragmin such a manner to create the desired acoustic output. Accordingly, theoutput signal 150 includes both acoustic and magnetic signal components.

As mentioned previously, the user of the wireless communications device100 may use a hearing aid. Some hearing aids are provided not only witha microphone input but also with a telecoil input. Accordingly, thehearing aid may be operated in microphone (M) mode, telecoil (T) mode ora combination microphone and telecoil (M/T) mode. Each of these modesdetermines the fashion in which the output signal 150 is coupled to thehearing aid. In M mode, the acoustic component of the output signal 150is detected by the microphone of the hearing aid and the telecoil inputis disabled. In T mode, the magnetic component of the output signal 150is detected by the telecoil input of the hearing aid and the microphoneis disabled. This is beneficial for preventing acoustic feedback andproviding better performance in noisy environments. In M/T mode, boththe microphone and the telecoil inputs are active. The microphone inputmay be attenuated to prevent feedback but still allow the user to hearhis/her own voice and to also be aware of the surrounding environment.

The processing, which may be referred to as DSP EQ, that is applied tothe digital received signal 142 affects both the acoustic and magneticcomponents of the output signal 150. The DSP EQ largely consists ofspecifying gain values versus frequency. Furthermore, as is commonlyknown to those skilled in the art, the DSP EQ is typically implementedso that only the acoustic component of the output signal 150 meetscertain requirements while disregarding the effect on the magneticcomponent of the output signal 150. The magnetic response of the speakeris typically flat across the frequencies of interest. Accordingly, whenthe speaker is driven with a flat signal, the magnetic component of theoutput signal is flat. However, when the device is operating in M mode,the drive signal is modified by the DSP EQ required to meet a desiredaudio specification. The resultant magnetic component of the outputsignal 150 closely follows the DSP EQ and any other electronic effectsin the audio path. Consequently, in some cases, the magnetic componentof the output signal 150 may not be sufficient to provide adequatecoupling with the hearing aid when the hearing aid is operating in Tmode or M/T mode.

In accordance with the invention, the user may specify the mode ofoutput coupling for the wireless communications device 100 with theselection means 120. For example, when a call is answered or originated,the user has the option of selecting the type of output coupling whichaffects the processing applied by the DSP 108. In particular, the device100 may be operated in M, T, or M/T coupling mode depending on the inputmode of operation for the hearing aid.

The selection means 120 may be a slide switch on the wirelesscommunications device 100 with three settings: M, T and M/T.Alternatively, the selection means 120 may be a separate button or abutton on the keypad 122 that, when depressed, switches between the M, Tand M/T modes of operation. In another alternative, the selection means120 may be a portion of a touch sensitive screen that is part of thedisplay 118. In a further alternative, the selection means 120 may be athumb wheel that the user uses to scroll across a variety of options anddepresses to select a particular mode of operation. A default mode maybe specified, either during the manufacture of the wirelesscommunications device 100 or upon first use. In a further alternative,the user may be presented with a phone screen on the display 118 when acall is received/originated and the user may select the appropriatecoupling mode by actuating the selection means 120.

In M coupling mode, the dominant mode of coupling is acoustic and theDSP 108 applies acoustic DSP EQ to optimize the acoustic component ofthe output signal 150 as it conventionally does. The natural acousticresponse of the device 100 is dependent on the characteristics of thespeaker and the acoustic design implementation, i.e. the size of thefront and back cavities, the quality of acoustic seals, the number andsize (i.e. length and diameter) of acoustic ports (holes), etc. However,the wireless communications device 100 preferably complies with astandard audio specification which specifies certain criteria for audiosensitivity and frequency response as well as noise and distortionspecifications. The chosen specification may also depend on theinterface of the communications subsystem 104 to the network 106 whichmay be the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA), integrated Device Enhanced Network (iDEN)standards and the like. These specifications are met using acoustic DSPEQ, gain/loss, and other DSP parameters to shape the acoustic componentin the output signal 150. In T coupling mode, the dominant mode ofcoupling is magnetic and, in accordance with the invention, the DSP 108applies magnetic DSP EQ to ensure that the magnetic component of theoutput signal 150 of the wireless communications device 100 issufficient for coupling with the hearing aid. The wirelesscommunications device 100 preferably complies with magnetic sensitivityand frequency response specifications. These specifications may be asdefined in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C63.19standard. For instance, a flat magnetic response will satisfy thisspecification. This specification is met by using magnetic DSP EQ,gain/loss, and other DSP parameters.

The magnetic response of the speaker is typically relatively flatthroughout the telephony frequency range. However, the magnetic responsemay be tailored to meet the individual user's hearing loss profile or toaccount for anything that might make it not flat. Further, a differentmagnetic DSP EQ may be needed as a function of volume control in T modeas currently happens in M mode. U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/855,407 filed on May 28, 2004 describes varying the DSP EQ parametersas a function of volume for M coupling mode. However, this same conceptcan be applied to the present invention when the device is operating inT or M/T coupling modes. In T coupling mode, care should be employed inheeding to the maximum drive levels that are permissible based on thepower handling capacity of the speaker.

In M/T processing mode, there is both acoustic and magnetic couplingbetween the wireless communications device 100 and the hearing aid. Inthis case, the DSP 108 applies acoustic/magnetic DSP EQ to provide acompromise between acoustic and magnetic coupling. The quality of eachof the acoustic and magnetic components in the output signal is alsodetermined by the receiver characteristics and the actualacoustic/mechanical implementation. The acoustic/magnetic DSP EQparameters may be chosen to compromise between the quality of theacoustic and magnetic components in the output signal 150.Alternatively, the acoustic/magnetic DSP EQ parameters may be selectedto optimize the magnetic component of the output signal 150 since theacoustic component in this coupling mode is mainly used for listening tosounds of the surrounding environment but not being overwhelmed by them.For example, in M/T coupling mode, using a hearing aid compatible devicein a noisy environment like an airport, the user would be aware of whatis going on around but would still be able to concentrate on the phoneconversation. In fact, the microphone input of the hearing aid may beattenuated to prevent the occurrence of acoustic feedback when thedevice 100 is placed close to the hearing aid of the device user.However, care should be taken to ensure that audio and magnetic signaldistortion is not introduced in this coupling mode of operation.

The actual DSP EQ parameters and gain settings applied when the device100 is operating in T or M/T coupling mode may change if an additionaldevice telecoil is used in the output stage 124. The additional devicecoil and the telecoil of the hearing aid may most likely be different.The telecoil of the hearing aid usually has a ferrite core for increasedsensitivity since the telecoil itself must be small enough to fit insidethe hearing aid. However, the additional device coil may simply be acoil of wire that has enough turns to provide the desired sensitivity.

It should be noted that the wireless communications device 100 may notnecessarily meet all of the magnetic specifications in M coupling modeor all of the audio specifications in T coupling mode. However, usingseparate processing parameters based on the coupling modes makes itpossible to optimize for each mode separately. However, volume controlmay be adjusted in M and T modes the same way.

The coupling setting of the wireless communications device 100 may beset at a default setting or could be selectable each time a call isplaced or received. For instance, a user of a hearing aid that uses Tinput mode might wish to default the output coupling of the wirelesscommunications device 100 to the T or M/T coupling mode. In anotherinstance, a non hard-of-hearing user, or a user of a hearing aid withoutT or M/T input mode (or one who chooses to not use these input modes),would default to the M coupling mode for the device 100.

The output control algorithm 132 operates in unison with the selectionmeans 120 and the default coupling mode to select appropriate values forthe DSP EQ parameters based on the coupling mode that is chosen by theuser. Various sets of DSP EQ parameters may be stored in the flashmemory 116. In addition, there may be several sets of DSP EQ parametersfor each coupling mode of operation. For a given coupling mode ofoperation, a particular set of DSP EQ parameters may be selected by theoutput control algorithm based on performance criteria that is specifiedfor one or more of the components of the output signal 150. Theparticular set of DSP EQ parameters are then provided to the DSP 108 bythe control unit 102.

Referring now to FIG. 3, shown therein is a block diagram of anexemplary alternative embodiment of a wireless communications device 200in accordance with the invention. In certain situations, the coil of thespeaker in the output stage 124 may be insufficient for generating anappropriate magnetic signal for coupling with the hearing aid of thedevice user when operating in T or MIT input mode. Manufacturerstypically provide specifications for the magnetic strength of a speakerunder standard test conditions (i.e. for a certain drive level or outputsound pressure level and distance from a magnetic probe). However, thisinformation might not be sufficient since the speaker may be situatedfurther inside the device 100 or closer to the surface of the device 100than in standard test conditions. Tests are therefore conducted duringthe design of the device 100 to determine the actual level of themagnetic component in the output signal 150 and the correspondingfrequency response. If the speaker turns out to be lacking in magneticsignal level and/or frequency response, then an additional device coilmay be added to the output stage.

Accordingly, the wireless communications device 200 includes an outputstage 202 having a speaker 204, with a coil (not shown), and anadditional telecoil 206. The data converter 112 has two outputs, oneoutput signal for the speaker 204 and one output signal for the telecoil206. When the coupling for the wireless communications device 100 isspecified to be M/T, the drive signal 148 is provided to both thespeaker 204 and the telecoil 206. In T mode, the drive signal 148 may beprovided to both the speaker 204 and the telecoil 206 if required toboost the level of the magnetic component in the output signal 150. Inthis case, the processor 108 may provide two processed received signals,one being optimized for use with the speaker 204 using audio DSPparameters and provided to the speaker 204 and the other being optimizedfor use with the additional device telecoil 206 using magnetic DSPparameters and provided to the additional device telecoil 206.Alternatively, there may be electronic circuit components prior to thespeaker 204 or the additional device telecoil 206 for separatelyoptimizing the drive signals that are provided to these components orotherwise altering the acoustic and magnetic components of the outputsignal 150. In M coupling mode, the drive signal 148 need only beprovided to the speaker 204.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the data converter 112 is capable ofproviding two separate data outputs. In the event, that the dataconverter 112 is capable of providing only a single data output, thenthe device 200 may be modified by including two data converters. Anotheralternative follows below.

In a further alternative, while still using the same hardware layoutspecified in FIG. 3, the output stage 202 of the wireless communicationsdevice 200 may be driven differently depending on whether the wirelesscommunications device 200 is operating in M, T or M/T coupling mode. Inthis embodiment 200, the speaker 204 is sufficient, and may beoptimised, for generating the acoustic component of the output signal150 in the M or M/T coupling modes and the additional device telecoil206 is sufficient, and may be optimized, for generating the magneticcomponent of the output signal 150 in the T coupling mode. Accordingly,the additional device telecoil 206 may be disabled when the wirelesscommunications device 200 is operating in M or M/T coupling modes andthe speaker 204 may be disabled when the wireless communications device200 is operating in T coupling mode. This allows the wirelesscommunications device 200 to conserve battery power and minimizeinterference between the two modes (only if each transducer is drivenseparately).

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown therein is a block diagram of anotherexemplary alternative embodiment of a wireless communications device 300in accordance with the invention. The device 300 includes an outputstage 302 having a switch means 304 connected to a speaker 306 and anadditional device telecoil 308. The switch means 304 is connected to thedata converter 112 and provides three different types of connections.When the device 300 is operating in M coupling mode, the switch means304 connects the data converter 112 to the speaker 306. When the device300 is operating in T coupling mode, the switch means 304 connects thedata converter 112 to the T-coil 308. When the device 300 is operatingin M/T coupling mode, the switch means 304 connects the data converter112 to the speaker 306 and the additional device telecoil 308. Thisembodiment is useful when the data converter 112 only provides one dataoutput channel.

As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, when both the speaker 306 andthe additional device coil 308 are driven, the processor 108 may providetwo processed received signals, one being optimized for use with thespeaker 306 using audio DSP parameters and provided to the speaker 306and the other being optimized for use with the additional devicetelecoil 308 using magnetic DSP parameters and provided to theadditional device telecoil 308.

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown therein is a flowchart of an exemplaryprocess 400 followed by the wireless communications devices of theinvention when the device user receives a telephone call. In the firststep 402, the wireless communications device detects an incoming phonecall. In the next step 404, the device posts a message on the display118. The message may have a first field 406 indicating that there is anincoming call and the phone number of the user who is calling. In thisexemplary embodiment, the message also includes a second field 408indicating alternative options that the user may select. In thisexample, the user may answer the phone call while the device isoperating in M coupling mode, answer the phone call while the device isoperating in M coupling mode and place the call on hold, answer thephone call while the device is operating in T coupling mode, answer thephone call while the device is operating in T coupling mode and placethe call on hold, let the call go to voice mail or ignore the call.Similar options may be available for dealing with the phone call whilethe device is operating in M/T coupling mode but are not shown here tosimplify the description. The default mode of operation may bepreviously specified and shown in shaded form in the field 408 of thedisplay 118. In this example, the default mode is used to answer thephone call while the device is operating in M coupling mode. In step410, the user selects the appropriate mode if no default mode has beenspecified.

If the user selected an M coupling mode option, then the process 400moves to step 412 in which the device is checked to see if it isoperating in M coupling mode. If the device is operating in M couplingmode, then the process 400 moves to step 414 in which it is determinedwhether the call is to be answered or put on hold. If the device is notoperating in M coupling mode, then the process 400 moves to step 416 inwhich the device is switched to M coupling mode and the appropriateparameters are used by the DSP 108. The process then moves to step 414.

If the user selected a T coupling mode option, then the process 400moves to step 418 in which the device is checked to see if it isoperating in T coupling mode. If the device is operating in T couplingmode, then the process 400 moves to step 414. If the device is notoperating in T coupling mode, then the process 400 moves to step 420 inwhich the device is switched to T coupling mode and the appropriateparameters are used by the DSP 108. The process then moves to step 414.

If the user selected the “voice mail” option, then the process 400 movesto step 422 in which the device call is routed to voice mail. If theuser selected the ignore option, then the process 400 moves to step 424in which the call is disconnected.

In step 414, if the user had selected to place the call on hold, thenthe process 400 moves to step 426 in which the call is placed on holdand the device waits for a coupling mode change, or for the user toanswer the call. In step 414, if the user had selected to answer thecall, then the process 400 moves to step 428 in which the user answersthe call and the device waits for the call to end, for a coupling modechange, for the call to be put on hold, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 6, shown therein is a flowchart of an exemplaryprocess 500 followed by the wireless communications devices of theinvention when the device user makes a telephone call. In step 502, theuser indicates to the device that a call will be made. In step 504, thedevice displays the different coupling modes in a field 506 on thedisplay 118. The device displays several options: call while the deviceis operating in M coupling mode, call while the device is operating in Tcoupling mode or call while the device is operating in M/T couplingmode. Once again, the default mode is shaded. In step 508, the usermakes a selection and enters the phone number to be called or selectsthe phone number to be called using a suitable means such as directorylookup, redial, speed dial, for example, that is well known to thoseskilled in the art.

If the user chooses to place the call while the device is operating in Mmode, the process 500 moves to step 510 where the device checks to seeif the current mode of operation is M coupling mode. If the device isoperating in M coupling mode, then the process 500 moves to step 512 inwhich the device makes the call. If the device is not operating in Mcoupling mode, then the process 500 moves to step 514 in which thedevice is switched to M coupling mode and the appropriate parameters areused by the DSP 108. The process then moves to step 512.

If the user chooses to place the call while the device is operating in Tcoupling mode, the process 500 moves to step 516 where the device checksto see if the current mode of operation is T mode. If the device isoperating in T coupling mode, then the process 500 moves to step 512 inwhich the device makes the call. If the device is not operating in Tcoupling mode, then the process 500 moves to step 518 in which thedevice is switched to T coupling mode and the appropriate parameters areused by the DSP 108. The process then moves to step 512.

If the user chooses to place the call while the device is operating inM/T coupling mode, the process 500 moves to step 520 where the devicechecks to see if the current mode of operation is M/T coupling mode. Ifthe device is operating in M/T coupling mode, then the process 500 movesto step 512 in which the device makes the call. If the device is notoperating in M/T coupling mode, then the process 500 moves to step 522in which the device is switched to M/T coupling mode and the appropriateparameters are used by the DSP 108. The process then moves to step 512.

It should be understood that various modifications can be made to theembodiments described and illustrated herein, without departing from theinvention. Further, it should be understood that the invention does notrequire all of the components shown herein and that some of thesecomponents have been included to further describe the additionalfunctionality that the device may provide besides simply making andanswering calls. In other cases, additional components may be added tothe device such as a serial port to allow the user to set preferencesthrough an external device or software application. A short-rangecommunications subsystem may also be included for providingcommunication between the device and different systems or devices,without the use of the network 106. An auxiliary subsystem may also beincluded for auxiliary input devices such as: a touch screen, a mouse, atrack ball, an infrared fingerprint detector, or a roller wheel withdynamic button pressing capability, for example.

Furthermore, the data converter and output stages may be combined byusing “digital ready” transducers that have digital-to-analog andanalog-to-digital functionality. Such a device may receive a digitalsignal, convert it to an analog signal and provide it to the appropriatecomponent in the output stage to produce acoustic or magnetic componentsin the output signal. In addition, the device may receive an analogsignal from a microphone, convert it to a digital signal and provide thedigital signal to the DSP for further processing.

1. A wireless communications device for receiving a wireless speechsignal and providing at least one output signal, the device comprising:a control unit for controlling the operation of the wirelesscommunications device; a selection means connected to the control unitand configured to allow selection from at least one output couplingmode, each of the at least one output coupling mode for generating oneof the at least one output signal of the device; a communicationsubsystem connected to the control unit for receiving the wirelessspeech signal and producing a received signal; a processor connected tothe control unit for receiving the received signal and providing atleast one processed received signal, the processor using parameters toprovide the at least one processed received signal according to aselected mode from the at least one output coupling mode; and, an outputstage comprising a speaker with a coil, and further comprising anadditional device telecoil, the output stage configured to generate theat least one output signal based on the at least one processed receivedsignal wherein, in at least one selected mode, the processor generatestwo processed received signals, wherein one of the two processedreceived signals is provided to the speaker, and wherein the other ofthe two processed received signals is provided to the additional devicetelecoil.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the processed receivedsignal provided to the speaker is generated using parameterscorresponding to the speaker, and the processed received signal providedto the additional device telecoil is generated using parameterscorresponding to the additional device telecoil.
 3. The device of claim1, wherein the parameters comprise acoustic digital signal processingequalization parameters.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein, in the atleast one selected mode, both the parameters corresponding to thespeaker and the parameters corresponding to the additional devicetelecoil comprise magnetic digital signal processing equalizationparameters.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein, in the at least oneselected mode, the parameters corresponding to the speaker compriseacoustic digital signal processing equalization parameters, and theparameters corresponding to the additional device telecoil comprisemagnetic digital signal processing equalization parameters.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a data converterconnected to the processor for receiving the at least one processedreceived signal and producing at least one analog signal; and whereinthe output stage is connected to the data converter for receiving the atleast one analog signal and producing the at least one output signal. 7.The device of claim 6, wherein, in the at least one selected mode, oneof the two processed received signals is provided to the speaker by thedata converter and the other of the two processed received signals isprovided to the additional device telecoil by the data converter.
 8. Amethod for receiving a wireless speech signal with a device andproviding at least one output signal, the method comprising: providingat least one output coupling mode for the device; receiving the wirelessspeech signal and producing a received signal; generating at least oneprocessed received signal using parameters selected according to aselected mode from the at least one output coupling mode; and,generating the at least one output signal based on the at least oneprocessed received signal using at least one of a speaker with a coiland an additional device telecoil; wherein, in at least one selectedmode, two output signals are generated, one of the two output signalsbeing generated by the speaker, and the other of the two output signalsbeing generated by the additional device telecoil.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein said generating two processed received signalscomprises generating the processed received signal provided to thespeaker using parameters corresponding to the speaker, and generatingthe processed received signal provided to the additional device telecoilusing parameters corresponding to the additional device telecoil. 10.The method of claim 8, wherein the method comprises providing acousticdigital signal processing equalization parameters as the parameters. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein the method comprises, in the at least oneselected mode, providing magnetic digital signal processing equalizationparameters as both the parameters corresponding to the speaker and theparameters corresponding to the additional device telecoil.
 12. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the method comprises, in the at least oneselected mode, providing acoustic digital signal processing equalizationparameters as the parameters corresponding to the speaker, and providingmagnetic digital signal processing equalization parameters as theparameters corresponding to the additional device telecoil.
 13. Themethod of claim 8, wherein said generating the at least one outputsignal comprises: receiving the at least one processed received signaland producing at least one analog signal; and, receiving the at leastone analog signal and producing the at least one output signal.
 14. Themethod of claim 8, wherein said generating the at least one processedreceived signal comprises, in the at least one selected mode, providingone of the two processed received signals to the speaker by a dataconverter and providing the other of the two processed received signalsto the additional device telecoil by the data converter.